“Don’t read in dim light, it’s bad for your eyes!”

We know it sounds familiar, but is it true? It’s time to bust some myths related to eye health and vision. Nanodropper is here to sort fact from fiction with these five common vision myths. 

Myth: Reading or watching TV in low light will cause your vision to get worse. 

Fact: There is no evidence that shows that reading in low light will permanently damage your vision. Similarly, the misconception that watching television in the dark is bad for your eyes is also false. In both of these cases, your eyes adjust the size of your pupil to account for the light available. However, these activities may cause you to experience eye strain.

Myth: Wearing your prescription glasses makes you dependent on them and will make your vision worse over time.

Fact: Relying on your prescription glasses (or contacts) does not cause your vision to get worse. People who wear glasses or contacts are likely nearsighted or farsighted. Wearing your glasses will not make this worse — it will keep your eyes from straining to focus. 

Myth: Looking at a computer screen for a long amount of time is bad for your vision.

Fact: Long periods of time on a screen can cause digital-related eye strain and you may experience blurry vision, headaches, or dry eyes. However, this will not permanently damage your vision. In order to decrease some of the discomfort of digital-related eye strain blink often, use artificial tears, adjust the contrast on your screen, and  follow the 20/20/20 rule!

Myth: Eating carrots is essential for healthy vision.

Fact: Carrots are indeed rich in vitamin A which is essential for your vision. However, it’s possible to get enough vitamin A from other vegetables and foods such as fish, milk, and eggs. Another important nutrient for your vision is carotenoids. This is found in dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale. Ultimately, it’s important to have a healthy, balanced diet for good vision. Learn more here. 

Myth: Sunglasses are only for summer!

Fact: Wearing sunglasses in the winter is important, too! The sun sits lower in the sky in winter and the angle of the rays can actually be more damaging than if the sun is directly overhead like in the summer. Additionally, if you are in the snow it is even more important to wear eye protection! The sun reflects off the snow and can cause extra damage to your eyes. 

That being said, summer is almost here… Stay tuned for an upcoming article all about sunglasses!